Betrayed Read Online Free Page A

before. My body heaved with sorrow, I didn’t think it was ever going to stop. His arms tightened, and eventually the tears subsided. There was an emptiness inside of me but also a much needed release.
    “Thank you,” he whispered, kissing the top of my head.
    Startled, I looked up, wiping the tears away with the back of my palm. “For what?”
    “Trusting me enough. I know you have a role to uphold, but I want you to know with me, you never need to wear a mask.” His lips met mine and I found mine opening in return. This kiss was desperate, I swear it seemed as if I was trying to crawl into his skin. I wanted his comfort, his acceptance more than anything I’d ever wanted. I knew it was too soon to have these feelings but I couldn’t have stopped them if I wanted to.
    A shudder ran through me when his hand dropped to my waist, easing slowly back up my ribs, higher until his hand gently cupped my breast. His thumb grazed my nipple, igniting a desire I didn’t realize I was capable of.
    Everything faded, all that was left was me and him. I wanted him, the way a woman wants a man. My head fell back opening my neck, which he didn’t hesitate to trail his mouth down.
    I realized we were walking backwards; he was pulling me toward the bed. My body stiffened.
    “Hey? What’s wrong?” he whispered.
    I groaned. “I can’t. I want to, but I can’t. I’m not sure how things work in your world, Michael, but … you don’t understand.”
    He smiled and shushed me. “I’m not asking for anything. I just want to hold you, that’s all. I’d never ask you to do anything you’re not comfortable with.”
    My body sagged into his. Not that the idea of losing myself in him wasn’t tempting. It would be incredibly easy. I had so many raw emotions running through me, but my mother had drilled it into my head since a child that I had to be pure when I became queen. Ridiculous and outdated, but it was what it was. Which was why I had been so shocked that she’d wanted me to pair with a human. I should have known she’d found a way around the actual merging part.
    “I’m sorry. I want to. It’s frightening how badly I want to, but I can’t.”
    “I said stop it. Just let me hold you.”
    Briefly, I debated telling him to leave. I honestly wasn’t sure I could spend the night and not give into the attraction. With a sigh I said, “Okay, I don’t want to be alone.”
    “Me either.” His voice was raw.
    Mentally and emotionally exhausted we kicked off our shoes and fell into bed. Michael pulled me into him and I breathed in his scent, relaxing into his strong arms. When the tears fell, I didn’t try to stop them, his lips brushed my forehead.
    Neither of us spoke, just held each other and listened to the other’s breathing. It wasn’t long before his breathing became deeper, his head lolled to the side, but his grip around my waist did not relax. I soon followed him into slumber, wishing I could fall asleep in his arms every night.

Chapter Five
    N ext thing I knew the door was opening and one of the servants walked in with a tray of tea and food. If she was surprised to see Michael in my bed she did not show it. Hopefully, she wasn’t a gossiper. “The queen would like to see you once you’ve showered and eaten.”
    I nodded, detangled myself from Michael, and reached over for the warm tea. It felt like I hadn’t really slept—my eyes were still puffy—but I knew I had to put the crown back on and take my place beside my mother. None of the others even knew about the halflings yet. We’d made some progress, openly using magick to restore the lands, but there was still much to be done. And the humans had not yet joined us. So we really weren’t any further ahead when it came to integrating the humans with magick. Basically, we’d just taken over. Yes, it was for their own good, but it wasn’t what we were here for.
    As soon as my mind went to the lost souls, I pushed the despair down. I had to